"Good for you, Bela!" they cried. "You're a game sport, all right! You're right; they're not worth bothering about. We'll stand by you!"
She seemed unimpressed by their enthusiasm.
"Time to go," she said, shepherding them toward the door. "Come to-morrow. I have ver' good dinner to-morrow."
"You bet I'll be here!" "Count on me!" "Me, too!" "You're all right, Bela!" "Good night!" "Good night!"
They filed out.
Only Musq'oosis was left sitting on the floor, staring into the fire. He did not turn around as Bela came back from the door.
"Why don't you go, too?" she demanded in a harsh, tremulous voice.
"T'ink maybe you want talk to me."
"Talk!" she cried. "Too moch talk! I sick of talkin'!" Her voice was breaking. "Go 'way! Let me be!"
He got up. He had dropped his innocent affectations. "My girl——" he began simply.